REIGNING premier Koroit has produced a recruiting coup in luring star Warrnambool defender Kasey Owen to the club as a co-coach alongside good friend Emily Batt.
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Batt and Owen will share the coaching duties next season after veterans Kate Dobson and Kate Foster announced they were stepping down following the Saints’ epic one-goal grand final triumph last month.
Batt, who coached Warrnambool and District league club Merrivale in 2010 and 2011, is excited about a return to coaching as the Saints look to begin a new era without the dynamic duo of Dobson and Foster, who are intending to step back to A1. Dobson and Foster have been key figures in the Saints’ golden run of 11 grand final appearances for seven premierships in the past 14 seasons.
Batt, 30, is the reigning Hampden league best and fairest winner, having dominated as goal keeper.
With her great ally, goal defence Holly Greene, focusing on basketball next season, key defender Owen’s arrival at Victoria Park as a co-coach, is a massive boost for the Saints.
Owen’s decision to leave Warrnambool is a big blow for the Blues, which are looking to climb the ladder having missed the finals in the past two seasons after playing in the 2012 grand final.
Owen, a regular Hampden representative, said her decision to leave the Blues after seven years had been tough.
“I want to do some sort of coaching but I didn’t know with finishing uni if I could commit to doing it all on my own,” Owen said.
“I’ve always been close with Emily and she was the same, she couldn’t commit to doing the whole thing on her own and she asked me. It just seemed right, a great bunch of girls, we’ve always got along on and off the court.
“I never thought I would leave Warrnambool. I had to think about what’s best for the club and what’s best for my netball. It’s a big move.”
The 24-year-old said she was conscious some players leapt straight into coaching and struggled.
She said the opportunity to be exposed to coaching at Koroit, where premiership coaches Stacey O’Sullivan, Jacqui Bowman, Dobson and Foster remained in various roles, ensured she would receive a good education.
“I want to do it properly.”
Owen has finished her physical education teaching degree and is looking for work next year. Uncertain of what job she might find, Owen said she didn’t want to over-commit herself with a sole coaching job.
Owen joins former Blues, Bowman, Carly Pulling and Emily-Rose Finnigan at the Saints — a factor Batt said might have swayed Owen.
“We are all really good friends,” Batt said.
“We approached (Kasey) more as a friend, to come and play with us. She loves Warrnambool but she just saw it as an opportunity to play with some good friends with a team that is in an exciting time.”
Batt said the Saints had readymade replacements for Dobson and Foster in the midcourt, with Carly Pulling and Finnigan.
Batt acknowledged the Saints would be closely watched.
“There is always pressure if you win the premiership and you are the top side,” she said.
Batt said she was confident the club could cover the loss of Foster, Dobson and Greene.
Teenager Cloe Pulling, her elder sister Carly and Finnigan would have big opportunities next season.
“We’ve got some depth at the club,” she said. “It’s Carly and Emily-Rose’s time to shine.”
Batt said she and Owen liked bouncing ideas off each other and were looking forward to working together, chasing success in a fun atmosphere.